GUNNER DO BUSINESS? Arsenal's brutal treatment of three stars can unlock more signings for Arteta in last week of transfer window

In the build-up to Arsenal’s first game of the season, three players were very noticeable by their absence. Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira left on the sidelines just waiting while their futures are resolved.

This is the cruel nature of football. They have been left out in the cold, knowing realistically they would not be involved. Like many other managers, Mikel Arteta often does “shape” the day before a game and so if you are not involved, you know you will not even make the bench.

Sadly for Martinelli, he was left doing keepy-uppies while the rest did a final training session and the ever-popular Brazil winger is clearly on his way out. Martinelli is a really nice, likeable character who has been hanging around with Vieira quite a bit while the Portugal midfielder - almost a forgotten man - waits for his next move.

Jesus has a year left on his contract and it has been his ambition to play 10 years in English football - which would also help his residency status - and being a free agent next summer would also open more doors for him.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

Get our comprehensive football coverage, with news, updates, opinions, analysis and everything that matters to you, straight to your inbox.

To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two:

1. Head THIS WAY

It feels particularly harsh on Martinelli but, realistically, there has been a general acceptance since the end of last season that - if the right deal comes along - then he could go. Inter Milan have flirted with Martinelli but would struggle to meet his current contract and now, having been reluctant at first to move to the Saudi Pro League, there is a real chance of Al-Hilal now completing a move.

Jesus has been a target for Napoli while Hamburg are pushing to get a deal done for Vieira. If all three go, then Arsenal may yet do more in the market. They are monitoring Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz while Arteta loves Julian Alvarez, even though the Atletico Madrid forward looks unlikely at this point.

But that story may yet have legs because the Atletico fans have turned on Alvarez and suddenly they may have to sell. Watch this space. Meanwhile, why on earth have they not been able to get better value on Martinelli? If Savinho goes to Tottenham in an £85m deal, why is Martinelli cheaper? The £50m price just does not seem enough.

Who should Arsenal sign and sell before the deadline? Have your say in the comments section.

This is a player whose stats measure up against the likes of Yildiz. So any deal has to actually be worth it - rather than just for the sake of it. Spending £100m to keep fans happy would be a bad move. Spending it on the right player would bolster the squad.

Martinelli has pace, is dangerous but has he really kicked on in the past two seasons? Let’s be honest, fans have been quick to turn on him so there is an element of revisionism here. Also, this notion that he has been kept in the dark… One former player was less sympathetic than some. “This is elite sport - every player knows what happens. If you want to improve, win trophies, that’s life.”

Where that argument falls down is with Myles Lewis-Skelly. But what does being offered actually mean? It might be that his name cropped up in conversations with other agents around the Bruno Guimaraes deal. IIf you know agents, they will always try to do deals. The first question will be: who will leave to make way - and can they muscle in and find a club to get the commission?

The reality is that Lewis-Skelly did not play much last season - until his amazing transformation in the run-in. Now it would be unthinkable to sell. But at some point, Arsenal’s owners do want to balance the books and that is pure financial planning, getting a balanced squad and being responsible rather than being in danger of breaking the Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Ethan Nwaneri was another obvious candidate. But he has been so good in pre-season that he has moved up the pecking order. If he goes, it will be on loan rather than permanent. And ideally Arsenal want a good Premier League if they sanction a loan.

It is not a shock to see players being linked with Turkey after Leandro Trossard’s move to Besiktas. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta clearly has good links there - what’s wrong with that?

Arsenal now have a huge, strong squad. And it would not be a huge surprise if they do not do more business. Ezri Konsa was a great signing. Terrific defender, brilliant personality.

But if Arsenal can do business, there may yet be more deals to be done.

Sky's Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season, with more than 1,500 games from the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.